Arsenal’s record buy steps up the effort but cannot recover the lost magic on
frustrating night against Manchester United

It was an evening when Arsenal were making more points than they collected.

A goalless Premier League draw with Manchester United that, Arsène Wenger argued, dispelled the trauma of Saturday’s five-goal humiliation at Anfield, which had left his team castigated and the effort of one man, in particular, questioned.

That man was Arsenal’s record signing: £42million Mesut Özil.

“One of the positives is that a guy who you questioned had a good game,” Wenger said, clearly irked by the criticism of the German international, who stood accused of many faults after the Liverpool mauling; the most brutal of which was that he gave up.

That accusation was repeated almost immediately last night when Özil’s first involvement saw him out-muscled by Rafael da Silva, after which he sat on the turf imploring action from Mark Clattenburg.

Moments like that had overwhelmed Özil at Liverpool when he was withdrawn after an hour – for the third time in four matches – leading to questions over his strength, his fitness, and even his commitment.

This for the man who was supposed fuel belief at Arsenal and drive them towards honours.

It is not, however, black and white, there are shades of grey.

Özil dusted himself down and although this was not the kind of sublime performance that he delivered when he first signed from Real Madrid – when he was scoring and creating and his languid style seemed to unlock every defence – there was clear evidence of a response.

There had to be; from Özil and from Arsenal.

Even if this draw was ultimately unsatisfactory, they will hope that it is a watershed and that the player and the team can go again for the final push in a season that promises so much but is on the cusp of becoming, again, crushingly infuriating.

This time Özil lasted the 90 minutes – and the pace.

Along with Santi Cazorla, he appeared the most likely to provide the cutting edge; as hard as Olivier Giroud tried he is tiring badly.

Wenger conceded that his team were suffering from the absences of Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott.

The perfect time for Özil to step up, then?

He had a late opportunity with a free-kick, but drove it, without much conviction, into the wall.

Time and again he worked his way towards the Manchester United penalty area only to misplace the final pass or to take the easier option.

He seemed drained of confidence, just as his physical stamina has been questioned – Wenger revealed that Özil had been on a special weights programme to build his strength and deal with the blood and thunder of the Premier League.

This for a player who was acquired for his subtle skills, even if that early encounter with Rafael confirmed that Özil needed to bulk up a bit.

Shortly after that the 25-year-old chased back to challenge Antonio Valencia and it appeared the midfielder was switched on.

Wenger pushed him further up the pitch, the closest player to Giroud but also interchanging with Cazorla and Rosicky, who he picked out cleverly.

There was also a quick exchange of passes with Jack Wilshere, only for the latter’s shot to be blocked, as Özil dropped into the pockets between midfield and attack to exploit the fact that Arsenal were claiming most of the possession.

It was better but still not quite right.

Özil collected the ball in his own half, after Juan Mata surrendered possession and ran unchallenged to the edge of the Manchester United penalty area only to misplace a simple pass to Giroud.

In truth the game was lacking in cohesion, two heavyweights struggling to land a punch.

United, in particular, were working from memory with Özil still trying to find the space as David Moyes implored his players to funnel back and keep their shape.

Özil drifted wide and alertly clipped the ball back to Cazorla as Arsenal finally began to stretch the play, but the opportunity was lost.

Then Özil over-hit a free-kick intended for Giroud and the frustration grew as the quality of the encounter dwindled further.

Wenger will hope, however, that it is a springboard for Özil to go again.

Arsenal need him to, especially with the weight of expectation that record fee demands.